MEMBER for Northern Victoria Tania Maxwell is calling for Swan Hill’s fair share of health funding after the Victorian Government announced a billion-dollar package for two Melbourne hospitals.
The Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party MP said regional people continued to be left behind, with recent Parliamentary Budget Office costings confirming regional communities were 11 per cent worse off than metropolitan communities when it comes to asset investment.
Ms Maxwell said the people she represents were waiting on important health investment commitments, including redevelopment funding for Swan Hill.
The government has poured more than $18 million into the redevelopment of the emergency department, with preliminary site works beginning next month, but hasn’t committed to further stages.
The main construction works – expected to get underway in early 2023 – will replace the old emergency department and add a four-bed short-stay unit as well as mental health patient care and treatment rooms to support people who may need to isolate.
The project is on track to be completed in 2025 and will create nearly 150 jobs during its peak.
The Opposition has also not indicated if it will commit funding ahead of the November state election. It promised $44 million at the 2018 election.
“The government needs to recognise and invest in hospital and health services in the north of the state, not just the north of Melbourne,” Ms Maxwell said.
“Northern Victoria deserves a fair share of the pie when it comes to election commitments and if the Labor Government can prioritise an announcement for the Melbourne’s north, it should expedite an announcement for the north of our state.”
